Today’s Schedule
Maggie, Dan & Mya explore on their own.
Carol & I spend time using the view from the balcony to enjoy the passing boats and people. Then get busy to find out where we stay the next 3 nights. Vincenzo, tells us he was able to arrange for us to get 2 rooms just down the street at the Hotel Bellini. One night only. Great for Maggie and Dan who leave in the morning.
http://www.b4bellinivenezia.com/en
We have breakfast, then put luggage into hotel storage and we go to “inspect” the place the 3 of us will have for 2 nights. After a good amount of time searching find out – Vincenzo is correct – all places are full. Then instead of a hotel, I try bed & breakfast. Alas – 1 has an opening for 2 nights – 2 beds. I jump at the offer. Wow, only half the cost of the original quote from Hotel Principe when I was making reservations. Casa San Andrea – Nice name and next door to a convent and church.
I’ll save the “surprise” until I write about it tomorrow. Interesting place.
My Observations
Boats, boats and more boats. Big ones that carry up to 300 people (vaporetto). The the custom speed boats known as water taxi. For the cost of an arm and half a leg, will take you in style where you want to go. Then there are barges carrying fuel for the stoves. Some, bring food. Laundry. You name it – it goes in and and out using boats. Yes, garbage too.
http://www.reidsitaly.com/destinations/veneto/venice/sights/grand_canal.html
Carol & I have lunch a few doors from hotel - Ristorante Povoledo. Another location we ate at with our tour group 2 years ago. Fried fish was tasty.
http://www.trattoriapovoledo.com/Venice-restaurant-pizzeria-Povoledo-english/Typical-trattoria-in-Venice-historical-center-about-us.htm
We walk off the big meal crossing a bridge we have not yet been on. The “red bridge” that goes to the bus station on Piazzale Roma. Obviously, this is a part of Venice that is not included in what most folks go to see. We check out Casa San Andrea and get our bus tickets to take us to the airport in 2 days. Although we are not flying anywhere, this is where we meet the group we will be touring with for 11 days.
http://www.italyheaven.co.uk/veneto/venice/piazzale-roma.html
We come back to hotel, find Maggie & family and eat another fine meal at Ginos. Mya gets a special cup of cappuccino. I think the guy who brought it thinks she is sweet – even has a heart made of cream on top.
After eating, go for our luggage and take it a 100 yards away to Hotel Bellini. Wow, more nice rooms. Facing the walkway, and if you look carefully, can see the Grand Canal.
Since this is our last night with Maggie and Dan, all fit in 1 bed, drink wine and talk about all we have seen in the past 10 days. Much fun. Many laughs. More stories to share with others when we get home.
Photo 1 - See. Moonlight on the Grand Canal. How beautiful. Priceless – almost.
Photo 2 - Do. Get to ride on a boat with a couple hundred hot and sweaty travelers. Thoughts of cold beer are visions in my head.
Photo 3 - Eat. Fried fish was wonderful. On prior visit had some squid. After eating it everybody compared the dark black coating on tongue. Fun food (-:
Click here for today's online photo album.
